What was supposed to be a routine morning at the Milwaukee County Zoo turned into a brutal heartbreak, as Mistari, a young zebra foal, was humanely euthanized on Monday after a devastating leg injury.
Zoo officials say Mistari was hurt while being moved into the outdoor zebra yard during her usual morning transition, a moment that went suddenly and catastrophically wrong. According to FOX6, the injury occurred during that standard move to the yard.
Veterinary exams later showed her lower right leg had suffered a severe open fracture, and blood flow to the lower part of the limb was compromised. The break could not be repaired in a way that would preserve any quality of life, the zoo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, leaving no viable surgical option.
Facing that grim prognosis, animal-care staff decided on humane euthanasia after consulting with outside large-animal veterinarians and specialized surgeons, according to FOX6. Staff described the choice as the only way to prevent further suffering.
Mistari's background
Mistari was born April 22 to mom Thelma and had quickly become a fan favorite in the zoo's renovated outdoor yard as she bonded with the rest of the herd, CBS58 reported. Thelma, who came to Milwaukee last year from Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul, had been settling into her new role as a first-time mother on public display.
Other recent losses at the zoo
Mistari's death marks the third major animal loss at the Milwaukee County Zoo since April. On April 10, the zoo euthanized African elephant Brittany, a longtime resident whose declining health had become a concern. Her death was announced by the Milwaukee County Zoo.
In early May, the zoo also said goodbye to Yin, a Chinese alligator who had been at the facility for decades. The 40-year-old alligator was euthanized due to age-related health issues, according to WISN.
Necropsy and next steps
To better understand exactly what happened to Mistari and whether any underlying issues contributed to the severity of her injury, the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Veterinary Medicine will perform a necropsy, the zoo told FOX6.
Zoo officials are asking for patience as animal-care staff closely monitor Thelma and the rest of the herd in the wake of the loss. They say additional information will be shared as the necropsy results come in and staff learn more about the circumstances behind Mistari's fatal injury.
